Tie-plate



J. T. FHNLEY ET AL TIE PLATE Fild ont. 5, 1925 wuantow Patented Get. 2l, i924.

UNITED STATES JOHN T. FINLEY, GLEN I.

FREEMAN, AND CHARLTON ROBERTS, OF ATLANTA,

GEORGL-L TIE-PLATE.

Application tiled october 5, 1923.

To all whom t may conce/in.'

Be it known that we, JOHN T. FiNLnY, @LEN l. FREEMAN. and CHARLTON R'. Roa mers, citizens of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, iave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tie-Plates, of

which the following` is a specification.

This invention relates to certainnew and 1U useful improvements in tie plates by means of which railway rails are effectively secured to cross ties against upward or separating displacement.

The primary object of the invention is to generally simplify and improve devices of the above kind, whereby the same may meetwith all of the requirements for a successful commercial use, the device embracing the desired qualities of simplicity, durability. and efliciency in operation.

Another `object of the invention is to provide for the convenient and effective engagement of the plate with the base flanges of the railway rail.

Still another object of the invention is to provide eliicient means for preventing creeping of the plate relative to the tie, whereby the rail is effectively held in proper position under all conditions.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the saine consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully describedvn shown in the accompanying :i5 drawings, and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a tie plate -10 constructed in accordance with the present invention operatively engaged with a rail section.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the tie plate disposed prior to turning movement of the same for engaging it with the rail as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1 with the spikes driven thru the plate into the tie.

Figure t is an enlarged perspective view of the tie pla-te looking at the top of the latter, and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4t, looking at the bottom of the tie pla-te.

Serial No. Self).

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the present invention consists of an elongated rnetal plate 5, that is preferably cut in the desired size and shape from the previously rolled sheet, and stamped upwardly from the opposite sides of this plate are lips 6 respectivel;v located near opposite ends of the plate 5 and normally struck upwardly a lesser distance than the thickness of the hase flange 7 of the rail, so that when the plate is operatively engaged with the latter, said lips will firmly grip the base flanges of the rail. The inner free corners of the lips 6 extend obliquely of the plate 5 as indicated at 8 by stamping the lips in this form from the platte during the manufacture of the device, so that when the plate is disposed diagonally of the rail beneath the space of the latter as shown in Figure 2, with the diagonal edge 8 disposed against the vertical onter edge o-f one of the flanges 7 ol" the rail, the adjacent lip 6 will ride onto the adjacent flange of the rail and permit the other lip 6 to engage the opposite flange of said rail. The plate is applied to the rail by clamping in this manner, it being necessary togdrive the plat-e around to the position shown in Figure 1, by the use of a hammer or the like, so as to force the lips 6 onto the hase flanges 7, due to the necessity of flexing the lips 6 upwardly slightly, as they are fully engaged with the base flanges 7. When the. plate has been brought to the position shown in Figure 1, a firm encrage-l ment with the rail is therefore had.

The plate 5 is provided with a square opening 9 opposite each of the lips G. through which a spike 10 may be driven into the tie 11 for preventing turning movement of the tie plate from its operative position, and in order to prevent movement or creeping of the tie plate relative to the tie, the under surface of the plate 5 is formed with ribs 12. The ribs 12 are interrupted at intervals as at 13 between the lips G and also at the points where these lips are formed, and said ribs extend longi tudinally of the plate 5 or in a direction transversely of the rail, the interruption of the ribs providing shoulders at the spaced ends thereof as at 14, so that when the ribs are embedded in the surface of the tie creeping is effectively prevented. Also, this insures smooth surfaces on the under Cil bet

sides of the lips Where they engage the pailng from the spirit and scope of the upper surfaces of the flanges 7 of the rail` The interruptions as at l?) in the f: lofeen the lips areA similar to toe interruptions at the points Where the lips are struel; from the plate so that the sheet from which the present devices are out may be formed into tie plates of this kind Without undue waste when it is found necessa y to provide the lips in the original sheet tlie'poin. indicated at 'l between tlie Us t? as shown. ln other words7 in some Instances7 the plaies would be out from tee meet so that the lips would be formed at the points indicated, but in other inslances it may be found neces ary to form the plates sopthat the would fall upon the sheet at V'the points Where the interruptions indicated at 'i3 on the present tie plate. rlhis will be found to occur when a miscut or mistake in the manufacture of the plate is mane, when cutting the same from the original sheet, and Will enable 'the mistakes to be corrected Without a great waste of ma iei'ial.

'lt Will also be apparent that by providing the oblique inner corners 8 on the lips 6, the latter may be suacerl compara-- tively close together and the plate may be of a minimum size While still permitting effective engagement of the lips upon the spaced flanges 7.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction and operation,

as Well as the advantages of the presentv Y invention will be readily understood and :,ijiipreeiated by those skilled ni the art.

Minor changes may be made without deyfition claimed. ll at We claim as new is:

l. A. tie plate eornprisii'ig a flat metal plate having lips struck up therefrom respectively adjacent opposite ends of the plate and adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the same in position to engage and rido over the upper surfaces of the opposed base flanges of a rail, and ribs formed upon the under surface of the plate extendlongitudinally thereof the ribs adjacent longitudinal edges of said plate being terrupted at the points Where the lips struck up from the plate whereby the the lips will be substantial- 2. A tie plate comprising a flat metal plate having a plurality of ribs extendingY longitudinallyv on the under surface of said ylate, certain of the ribs being interrupted to provide spaced Ylongitudinally aligning ribs, and :lips struck up from the spaced portions between the ribs arranged adjacent the longitudinal edges of the plate Whereby the undersurfaces of the lips Will be substantially smooth and are adapted to engageand ride over the upper surfaces of the opposed base flanges of a rail, the lips being arranged at the opposite longitudinal edges and respectively adjacent 'the opposite ends of the plate. Y

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

JOI-IN T.VFINLEY. @LEN I. FREEMAN. GHARLTON' R. ROBERTS. 

